The Claim of the Rose: Storm the Gates has started at Outside Arx - Lyceum near The Roseward - Tor - The Roseward - Outside the Roseward.

Sangreal, the main holding of House Eco, isn't a single city held within walls. No, the lagoon that separates the three components of the city has been bridged and built over, each component walled, though the main city is set on an islet at the dead center of the lagoon.

Summertime means rainy weeks interspersed by truly sweltering hot summer heat, and the latter is the case for this particular visit to House Eco.

The palace itself isn't that luxurious, as if the owners have chosen to be spartan and utilitarian over merely ostentatious. This may be a blessing in disguise, however: there are many guards manning the ramparts of each level, and the banners, proudly flying over the single tower, depicts two knights opposite each other, one in a blue field, the other in white.

A feast has been organized to receive the diFidante contingent. Arturo and Canossa stand, bowing before announcing their esteemed guests to their father, before the announcer officially does so to his court.

Despite the oppressive and humid heat, Dante canters in slowly atop his horse in full diamondplate, dark cloak flowing behind him. Visor open on his helmet, the Marquis surveys Sangreal while the contingent makes its way to the tower in the center of the lagoon. Once there, he dismounts and heads over to Arturo and Canossa with the Marquessa, bowing deeply. He'll let Lora make the introductions.

It's not as if the di Fidante can really turn down the hospitality of their vassal house, now, can they? Especially since they brought back the heir and his sister after some valiant rescue, the story of which has by now probably been told two or three (dozen) times. And will probably be told at least that many times going forward, as is traditional. Lora is here, of course; she approaches with Dante, arrayed in proper finery such as befits a diplomatic dinner with a vassal house, one they have not yet really properly had time to get to know. Oh sure, Aturo and Canossa might be familiar, but their father? Less so. She is all subtle smiles and careful cordiality, evidently little minding the guards all about. Or the soldiers that accompanied them from the seat of the marquisate. Introductions abound.

Vicente rides along with the rest of the nobles, back stiff and head shifting about from side to side to take in the defenses and, as always, seems to be analyzing any point of vulnerability or strength. His face is expressionless and showing little cheer about it. His thick beard is almost starting to look wild through his helmet. One hand holds the reigns while the other holds onto the hilt of his sword.

Thea rides with the others, her gold-flecked green eyes taking in the surroundings. She looks content and comfortable on her horse as she surveys everything.

"Welcome," the Count, Roberto, intones, from the dais. He rises from it, in fact, just in time to bow towards his now-suzerain. "My Lady, my Lord. I am in your debt for rescuing my heir and heiress. Without them, we would be nothing. I have declared today an annual holiday in your honor, for your daring rescue of them, and the defeat of those malcontent raiders who have gone well into banditry."

The words spill out venomously out of his mouth, but he takes a moment to recover himself before he announces to the court, "House Eco pledges its word, today, to continuing the bonds of vassalage it had with House Volkov with our new overlords, House di Fidante, of Roseward. May our bonds always prove to be beneficial and fruitful to one another."

"We could do no less, Count Eco," Lora assures as if to appease the venom their host harbors, though she listens to the rest to the idea that he's declared the day a holiday, to the affirmation of fealty, with a faint, pleased smile. "House di Fidante is pleased to recognize those vows and bonds, and we look forward to strengthening them in the months and years ahead." It's not really canned diplomacy; she certainly seems sincere about this, but then that is usually how diplomacy works. "Lord Arturo, Lady Canossa, we are glad, too, to see you restored to your family."

"It is pleasing to see you reunited with your heir and heiress, Count Eco. As the Marquessa has said, we are pleased to recognize your vows and will ensure those bonds are strengthened." Dante smiles warmly at the Count and his children both, despite the poisonous words and grave occasion. "Those malcontent raiders you speak of will meet their just punishment for such foul deeds. Thank you for this annual holiday you have decreed."

The tone that comes from the Count's mouth causes Thea to lift her eyebrow a touch. However, the young Malvici medic remains silent and simply watches. And listens.

Vicente gives a bow to Count Eco and says, "My lord." His hand is not near his hilt now and he glances momentarily then back towards the count, "Your seat seems well designed." His compliment given and then he steps back to leave any further conversation to those capable of offering it.

"My ancestor built this with defense in mind. Originally, it was supposed to be just a small barony, but as we grew prosperous, it attracted the attention of others who desired to trade with us. They settled, then, and finally, it was only after we were sworn to the then Clan Volkov that we built the third and final section." Roberto starts to lead them towards the dining hall, where an elevated table has been set for himself and his esteemed guests, as lower ones are for the lower ranked gentry and some commoners of note.

Slices of meat and soups and stews are plenty are served in plates and pots and bowls, with a lot of bread to accompany each course.

It might have been a hearty banquet, if not for grim news, as a haggard messenger rushes through the door, bloodied and battered, "My lord! My lord! The Remnants will soon be upon us! We are under attack!"

Of course they will just be getting settled in for dinner when the messenger arrives. It summarily interrupts Lora's small talk and she lowers her flatware as he rushes inside. "Sooner than expected. They are relentless, aren't they." A quiet observation more than it is a question. It comes with a look at Dante, one with all the pleasantry removed, given over instead to a small measure of wariness.

The discussion of how Sangreal came to be built in the fashion it is intrigues Dante, paying close attention to the Count as they go to the dining hall. "Wise choices on the part of your ancestor. It seems to have served you well," he compliments after settling down next to Lora. A fork in hand, he sighs to her and nods. "Quite. I think they've gotten bolder out of desperation, perhaps." Giving Lora a meaningful glance in return, his hand grips the hilt of the Edge of Perdition, drawing it as the Marquis stands.

Thea is sitting, content listening to the conversation. She's remained silent this entire trip. But the Marquis is up and , blade up and well--thats all Thea needs as she reaches for her own weapon.

Vicente was beginning to discuss sanitation and the lagoon when the messenger arrives, he actually seemed interested. His eyes lift up and turn that way. His eyes shift towards Lora as though waiting for further orders.

As Roberto seems to be a man of no-nonsense, he makes his way to the balcony, spotting that army marching its way to Sangreal. His crossbowmen at the ramparts are nervous, but without orders, they have held off on shooting. Soon enough it becomes apparent that they have siege engines and at least double of the forces here. Mostly infantry, some of which are armored and armed like the horsemen they had seen in the raid against the village, but about thrice as much in number. The others have leather jerkins and spears, at best. It's rather clear from their irregular marching that they have been forcibly pressed into service or otherwise coerced. Whatever the case, the total number here is at least one thousand and five hundred, according to the scout's reports.

Sangreal itself isn't badly defended; a couple of ballistae were mounted in the turrets of the second city, facing outward. Many of the soldiers look regularly trained and perhaps fight professionally and have done so for a long time. The sergeants aren't panicking, at least.

Roberto looks to his guests, then at the army in front of him.

From the balcony it's a sobering sight, the much larger army arrayed before the walled hold. Siege engines are an unwelcome sight, although the obviously unskilled soldiers armed and armored quite poorly is an encouraging sight. "I wonder how much it would take for some of those men to break and flee, they clearly do not wish to be here," Dante murmurs to Lora and Roberto with a a glance back over at Thea and Vicente, head tilted.

Lora follows Roberto out onto the balcony to watch with what isn't quite visible dismay as the oncoming army becomes visible. She's certainly very somber, the levity of the presumed feast set aside in favor of the very grim reality of what's coming down on Eco. There's a little nod at Dante, and a quiet, "Some of this will be a mind game. How to break their forced ranks, without the defenders being broken in return." Quiet conversation, not necessarily meant to be overheard but certainly not really whispered. "The siege engines might be a problem, as well."

Thea stands and looks over the balcony, at the soldiers. She looks thoughtful, as she listens.

Vicente glances towards Dante and Lora, "Rabble should not be underestimated but I would imagine any of the core elements of their force ending up defeated would likely send them running away. If you'd rather deal with the siege engines, they probably would break if we got in close enough swift enough."

Arms folded, Dante glances about the approach and murmurs, "With being on an island, only so many can be brought across at a time. Can we aim our ballistae to smash the bridges to keep them from getting to here, then we can ride out and cut down the ones stuck on this side?"

Vicente glances to Dante and says, "I'm not sure what angle we're able to manage but I would expect to do that as a last resort. Only if we begin to get overwhelmed perhaps?" He glances around and then says, "Or we might move to see if we can free those pressed into service to aid our attack on the enemy."

Vicente checked command + leadership at difficulty 45, rolling 11 higher.

Dante checked command + leadership at difficulty 45, rolling 2 higher.

Vicente hurries down through the fortifications and down towards the siege engines and yelling towards those manning and around the engine, "Be prepared the moment the signal is given. The bridge needs to be taken out but you may take alternating shots to not interfere with the other defenses on their attacks. If you happen to hit some hapless soldier crossing that bridge, you'll know the dog came to take your lives and those of your lord and family." His tone is inflected with a hint of rage, "Take pleasure in knowing that you fight against the evil that would undermine all that is good." There's a moment of silence, "Anyone who fails to do his duty, ... who wavers or does not act in a way befitting your task will deal with me. If that fails to motivate you adequately, afterwards I will send you to face the Marquessa." Dramatic pause, "I have faced her as her uncle and I assure you, you do not want that." There's a glare on his face.

Thea checked wits + leadership at difficulty 50, rolling 2 lower.

After conferring with Vincente, Dante nods and starts to head to the defenders on the ramparts and gates before a thought strikes him. "Lora, perhaps your singing will improve morale as well. It tends to have a rather special effect on those who hear it." Afterwards, he goes to speak with the aforementioned soldiers. "If they break in, they will certainly do horrific things - kidnapping was something they legitimate. They use terror and the rule of savagery, not that of the Gods and the Compact. I took vows to become a Disciple of Gloria to bring honor to the honorless, like those who threaten us now. We will stand here and fight, ensuring that their predatory behavior ends here, and House Eco shall remain safe." Lifting the alaricite blade to the sky, he narrows his eyes at the defenders. "For Gloria, House di Fidante, and House Eco!"

Lora checked composure + manipulation at difficulty 50, rolling 5 higher.

"Maybe," Lora murmurs, regarding the singing. "I do not know that we are there, yet." She accompanies the lot though, to join them for these rallying speeches with the barest lift of an eyebrow at Vicente when he uses her of all people as the backup threat for motivation. And she listens as Dante gives his own rallying cry, but her presence there might simply be to add that unified front: the soldiers of Sangreal aren't here alone. Not that the di Fidante brought many soldiers with them, but -they- are here, and that's something, right? After she splits off, gone to calmly insist that everyone not necessary to defend the walls get back away from the walls. It's not just in case. "The defending guard need as much room to maneuver as they can get," see. She's not visibly worried at all, only encouraging.

Thea -tries- to get the ones not fighting to get safely somewhere. She does. But it appears she's not great at it or she's not their Marquessa so why bother listening to her. She exhales, trying to remain patient, as she debates on something else.

There is an effort to organize the defense and that is certainly appreciated. The men manning the ballistae are a little sharper, receptive to Vicente's orders. The ballistae are focused on the siege towers, and soon enough a captain requests pitch to slather the bolts with, before setting them ablaze. They are ready to take on the siege.

Dante's rallying of the outer city has those soldiers ready and dedicated. The already disciplined crossbowmen have their bolts at the ready to loose once the enemy has come into range, while the soldiers are working on providing support against enemy arrows and those that are brave enough to climb the ladders to the walls.

Thea doesn't get much traction with the nobles in the old city, but at least it becomes a hotly debated topic.

Meanwhile, the enemy draws closer. The catapults stop, loaded now with some strange rocks. The Remnants' captains orders the infantry in, first. They rush to the walls.

Dante checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 9 higher. Dante rolled a critical!

Vicente checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 1 lower.

Morale bolstered, Dante with the soldiers as the Remnant soldiers draw ever closer, his sword out and eyes keen. "Wait. Something odd about those catapults. They're not loaded with the usual - Uncle Vicente, have the ballistae focus upon them. Crossbows, try to pick off the catapult crews, footmen, be prepared to repel any who attempt to scale the walls. Dump oil and rocks if you have them ready, push off ladders when they clamp onto the ramparts."

Vicente does not hinder the attempts to place pitch on the bolts even as his own face tightens looking at the flames around him. His breathing is steady but his left hand is rapidly tapping against his left thigh and focusing on the target more than the ballistae. He focuses on timing more than aim as the men ought to be doing their own timing, "The moment I give the signal, remember to alternate to try to keep them off step." His breathing is moving slightly less steady as they move through. As he hears Dante's calling he yells to his men and says, "Change all aim to the catapults at once. Fire in sync at different targets and fire till they're abandoned or destroyed then return to your initial target."

Lora checked command + intimidation at difficulty 45, rolling 4 higher.

The battle is well and truly under way by the time Lora makes it back up onto the ramparts to watch, partially because she went to be strapped into the bright, gleaming armor that now accompanies them when they go into shav-infested woods. She keeps some distance, and as much height as available and watches for a little while, until she catches on to the mis-timing of the ballistae. Perhaps it harkens back to her own somewhat catastrophic attempts at getting archers into sequence. "You, there. And you." Several of the slightly less effective archers are pulled away and given very matter-of-fact directions. Find this. Do that. Fly quick.

This is a pig's corpse, so freshly slain that it's still warm. That is the next bolt to be fired from one of the ballistae. The pig is tied to the bolt and this is launched into the middle of those lackluster, relatively poorly-clad footsoldiers, the ones who don't look like they want to be here at all. It's almost impossible to miss the ground, and that's where she has this particular shot aimed.

Whatever the cause, Dante's orders, coupled with the other by the di Fidante prove to be somewhat effective to stem the tide of the enemy. The first wave is fiercely fought back by the crossbowmen and the infantrymen who do their best to keep the ramparts mostly Remnants-free, while Arturo himself seems to be leading and rallying a number of the guard into the thick of the fighting, keeping the stairs pushed off of the battlements.

Meanwhile, Vicente doesn't quite manage that intimidating push he intended to create with the irregular firing of the ballistae, until Lora has her idea. Then, the already disorganized and incoherent infantrymen of the enemy start to disperse in disarray, while blood, bones and organs are splashed on them. It's almost as if they think she singled out one of their own to fire and utterly destroy in such a way. A clever little trick that holds the enemy back.

The catapults loose their first few rocks, however, unimpeded as they are, and a section of the wall simply crumbles, if not outright explodes, after the strange 'rock' connects with the stone. Enemy soldiers are encouraged by this and pour in, but they're already being pushed back by the Eco soldiers, who use a line of pikes to keep the invading enemy at bay.

Vicente checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 45 higher.

Dante checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 33 higher. Dante rolled a critical!

When the organs explode and cause the Remnant infantry to panic, Dante joins Arturo into the thick of the fray, alaricite sword slashing with vicious ruthlessness to hew and carve Shav flesh from bone. "For Gloria, di Fidante and Eco!" Once more bellowing out this war cry, he fights alongside his ally while trusting his uncle and wife to take care of the rest - at least for the moment, he's committed to drive back the enemies attempting to pour into the breach.

With the pike in position, Vicente makes his way away from the flames and down towards the pike. The freedom of his position with the men preparing their forward assault seems to give him a clarity that was lacking from the walls. He sends the pike out forward and attempting to make the effort to swing the pike into a convex position to force any effort to flank them to take a much greater quantity of people or in a much thinner line and attempt to cut through while allowing his own line greater support and deeper lines.

Lora checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 3 higher.

"That is exactly how it is done," Lora informs the ballista crew that successfully launched the pig. "Now aim there, at that catapult, before it takes out another segment of the wall." Perhaps she cannot get all of the towers coordinated in their fire but she can get one team to pay attention and dial in on a target, especially after the palpable, visible success of the corpse.

Somehow, Dante manages to accomplish an effective counterattack down the ladders at the enemy. More than five score of enemies lay dead with the rallying call of the Sword of Tor, several Remnant cavalrymen falling from the stairs to their deaths if they are not cut down by swords and axes.

Meanwhile, the pikemen led by Vicente manage to fend off and kill several of the invading infantrymen, creating a wedge in their ranks that stalls their advance.

Lora manages to successfully coordinate the ballistae into knocking down one of the siege towers, causing disorder in the back ranks. Even then, one of the remaining towers seems to make the distance and there is an outpouring of enemies into the battlements, which Dante and Vicente are being very effective at combating, for the moment. Slowly, however, the numbers will start to overwhelm this first layer of defense.

Vicente checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 22 higher. Vicente rolled a critical!

Lora checked command + leadership at difficulty 35, rolling 18 higher.

Dante checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 3 lower.

Continuing to try to push the advantage from above, Dante leads a a rather brave compliment of soldiers down precariously balanced ladders, counting on the terror of seeing their friends dying from above and plummeting to the ground giving him some advantage. The war cry has been mostly been replaced by shouting directions along with Arturo as they work in coordination despite the numbers not in their advantage.

Vicente takes his contingent of pike along towards the towers to attempt to stop their advance towards any of the nearby towers or siege equipment that is manned nearby and attempts to cripple its ability to proceed or destroy it if possible.

Assaulted by all sides, Dante's armor is sorely put to the test as this wave of invaders start to gain ground. 75 inflicted and Dante is unharmed.

Instructions are left to keep firing before Lora goes to find some other very small group to motivate. It doesn't take many soldiers to take pots of pitch to the wall to lob down into the spilled stone wreckage on the far side of the wall, where the Remnant's soldiers are like so many ants trying to swarm through the gap left by their strange rocks. They don't need to aim well to get it down there, nor do archers with burning arrows need to aim well when, again, they're simply hitting the ground.

There is some effectiveness in stalling the inevitable. As soon as the wall section was crumbling, it became a matter of keeping the foothold for as long as possible. The retreat to the second fortified part of the city is clear, the drawbridge still stretched, while Dante's attempts at sallying out to face the enemy meet with some losses. Few, but crucial enough for the defense of the wall.

Vicente is far more successful, this time around, the pikes becoming an effective phalanx and pushing, if not stabbing, most of the enemy soldiers trying to make it across the bridge. However, a number of elite armored Remnants manage to make it through, cutting a swath from the ranks of House Eco, while Arturo himself takes a stab to the shoulder. He's dragged back into the second fortified part, while the pitch is thrown hastily in order to cut down the numbers that manage to make it through even more.

It's a precarious situation.

Vicente checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 16 higher.

Dante checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 1 lower.

Vicente is continuing to press against the bridge and moving to hold and slice down where he can. Any attempts to hit against any siege equipment or secure the walls is taken.

Holding the outer ramparts begins to look more and more dire as the Remnant presses and Lora begins to call men off it as she heads down, and back. Some might stay to support Dante and Vicente, but others are likely drawn back with her toward the second wall, perhaps to better cover an organized relocation to new ground.

Driven from the ramparts, Dante hangs back to try to slow the advance of the Remnant with his soldiers and crossbowmen while Arturo is brought back into the second wall. The Marquis himself will not fully draw back until the Eco warrior is safe, meanwhile pointing out targets on the siege engines for the crossbow men to aim at.

The first wall appears to be rather clearly the Remnants to take; the outpouring of soldiers from the second siege tower that makes contact is resounding. Even now the gates hold fast, but soon enough they are broken down and the soldiers trying to defend the porticullis are cut down in the attempt. A fighting retreat is in order, even as at least a hundred Eco soldiers perish in the attempt.

The crossbowmen that retreat with Lora provide cover to those that are losing ground, but with the rush of the waves beholden to the Remnants, it's hard to know how much time they have before their avenue of retreat is cut off.

Vicente makes his way with a strategic withdraw towards Dante, allowing the withdraw to be managed with one line pulling back while the others support. He's making his way towards Dante ultimately to attempt to buffer his numbers but while not giving up ground without forcing them to pay for it.

Dante checked command + war at difficulty 50, rolling 21 higher.

Dante checked command + war at difficulty 45, rolling 8 higher.

Lora checked composure + performance at difficulty 40, rolling 26 higher.

With the most determined and unwounded infantry, knights and crossbowmen from House Eco and House di Fidante keep pulling back until Dante spots the undisciplined troops do as rabble often do - immediately fall to plundering. As soon as that happens, the gleaming sword is raised into the air once again with a single battle cry. "Now!" They roll upon the disorganized ranks like a cavalry charge, bolts flying and swords swinging to hack the poorly trained Remnant soldiers apart before they can regain order.

With pike making their way back, Vicente directs their movements steadily back towards Dante, allowing their formation to hedge the likelihood of being flanked. His own eyes focused more on the troops as they begin to flood past the gates. Periodically his voice yells out some new direction or order but always with the intention of unifying his force. As he draws in closer to Dante's men, he maintains his formation and attempts to control the direction and order of his troops and allowing what engagement is possible without leaving his men at too great a risk during this point of the engagement.

With little left to be done in the outer part of the city Lora takes her bowmen inward and there begins to distribute orders to the commonfolk who have mostly sat this out, watching with some dismay as Sangreal is overrun. Most people are set to gathering things for distribution. Supplies go inward, extra clothing is set aside and bundled up with hay, tied into makeshift scarecrows. It is a hurried, harried affair, as is getting them up onto the walls without quite giving up the truth that only some of the guards up there are mobile and armed.

It is as night begins to fall that the second part of her plan is delivered, however. The Marquessa herself begins to sing, quietly at first, but she passes the song along with flame from the torch she bears. All along that second wall torches are lit, one passed to the next in a growing line of flame. The flame is passed, and the song, until a choir of rises, raised in a familiar anthem, calling down Gloria's sword and shield.

The skirmishing with the enemy forces is effective in helping to cut down their numbers. As is the scorched-earth practices of Dante diFidante when he orders the ballistae to fire at the enemies. Given that several of the towers are now eliminated, and an exchange overnight had the catapult damaged for the foreseeable day, the defenders gained a manner of respite.

The skirmish itself was effective at ambushing the raiders, taking a large swath of their numbers with the effort, though these were promptly replaced and an offensive was staged against the second gate; repelled, especially after the common folk are reinvigorated in their anima by the beautiful candle-lit vigil that Lora leads.

The people in Sangreal see her and Dante as gifts from Gloria in this time of need, and the soldiers are more than invigorated to take the fight to the enemy. Overnight, bolts flew down upon a mass of enemies attempting to climb with ladders, and a battering ram was successfully spotted and burned to the ground.

Dawn arises, however, and the diFidante need to make a choice on how to deal with their threat. Of note, the leader of the Remnants is seen prowling near the bridged area, though his army has set up a temporary barricade on their end of it.

To Be Continued...